It’s wasn’t a blow out, the Yankees did not embarrass themselves, but they still found themselves on the losing end of another ballgame at the Trop. The Rays had a few RBI bloops and bleeders that proved to be the difference as they beat the Yankees, 4-3. Alex Rodriguez managed a soft single but didn’t look strong in his first game back, Ichiro Suzuki continues to strikeout and has almost become an automatic out.
Robinson Cano, well let’s just say his lack of pep on certain plays–like the go-ahead single in the eighth–doesn’t not reflect well on him (though on second thought, there is an explanation…)
The Yanks hit the ball hard against James Shields but most of those hard hits were right at defenders. Shields deserves credit too, almost everything he threw was off the plate and he pitched deep into the game. It was a tough-minded performance.
Painful loss, but then again, every loss is painful at this time of year. The Orioles made it hurt but good as they won and now trail the Yanks by just one game.
Tomorrow, the Bombers turn their eyes to Fab Five Freddy Garcia.
Hang tight, they haven’t choked anything away yet, and strap in: this is going to be a wild month.
[Photo Credit: Tomorrow Started; Chris O’Meara/AP]
Too many injuries. We have no offense, and everybody else seemed to be depressed. Certainly, I am.
MLBN is now reporting there might be an issue with Robbie's hip. Nothing more detailed than that.
2) Yeah, I heard that but no report either. I'll let you know when I hear something concrete.
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2012/09/03/canos-bothered-by-mild-hip-injury/
[4]
Thanks.
Just a question - am I being unfair to CC in thinking that since the WS, when the team has needed him to come up big, to somehow hold that lead, 9 times out of 10 he just does. not. get. it. done?
Maybe this is a misconception of mine, though. But it sure seems like it.
And I'm finding it really dispiriting.
Like I said the other day - had the staff order all screwed up though - it's on mercurial Freddy.
Confidence is running very low, at present.
Patience can't be sliced any thinner than this, either.
JJ, I don't think you're off base on Sabathia. He certainly didn't come up big against the Tigers last year in the Division Series, and his last two starts, he has failed to come up big. His performance last week against that Toronto lineup was particularly frustrating.
[7] Bruce, that Toronto game was most certainly the one that put me through the roof on him. It just wasn't good enough, not nearly good enough (blowing two leads).
Mercurial Freddy; our nation turns it's frustrated, depressed, impatient eyes on you.
Time for a visit from Mo to the clubhouse; Jeter to crack the whip, Arod to to talk to the Latin players, and a Pettitte sighting to right this ship. Girardi better learn to relax too. Where is Kevin Long in all this?
[7] Wait a second, Bruce - you must know Tim Wiles! Small world. I have to give him a call. I was working on a cat rescue in Cooperstown and Tim was nice enough to try to help (I had met him a number of years ago while I was researching a story up there).
I managed to pull it off, eventually, and I owe Tim a call.
[9] I don't know, man. So many hitters in that lineup look irretrievably broken. You're never sure how much a hitting coach can or can't affect things, but I can't remember seeing this many easy outs in a Yankees lineup since the early 90's.
Youkillis is sporting a funny moustache.
That is in no way relevant to the topic at hand, but it amuses me, and that is far more pleasant than watching or talking about the Yankees right now.
11) Guess you forgot 2001.
[13] Was it that bad, as well? My long-term memory is nowhere good enough, at this moment in time, to remember each year that clearly. I would imagine in 2001 I was in "can't complain about anything - and I mean anything" mode.
[13][14] Winning the division by 13.5 games---and also winning the previous three WS---helped take the mind off of the team's relatively weak lineup that season. They also played well above their pythagorean expected win total, so at least there was the perception they "knew how to win."
30 up and 30 down since Pettitte got hurt.
[12] I have missed the last couple of games..will search for the Youkilis moustache so I can learn to laugh again.
Yes, Tim's a friend of mine, and my former boss at the Hall of Fame when I was working in the research department.
I don't recall his phone number at work, but call the Hall's main number at 607-547-7200 and you can get forwarded over to Tim.
[18] Oh, no, I have his number. I was just mentioning that I owe him a call, lol. He's a very nice guy and we had a good time catching up when last we spoke. I really really have to find time to make a return visit to the Hall. I love it up there.